The Principal Barometer

The Principal barometer is an ongoing follow-up study of principals, deputy principals, vice-principals, and school leaders of primary education or upper secondary education in Finland.

The Principal Barometer 2024 (PDF)

What is the purpose of the research?

The principal barometer is an extensive longitudinal study aimed at investigating the occupational well-being of Finnish principals. The research is carried out in co-operation between the University of Helsinki and Suomen Rehtorit ry (Association of Finnish school principals). The primary goal is to compare the well-being of Finnish principals with international data and other industries and professions. The project is part of the international Principal Health study, led by Professor Philip Riley from Australia, and involves collaboration with Australian Catholic University’s Institute for Positive Psychology and Education.

We utilise a comprehensive questionnaire to examine the principals' work situation, well-being, resources, and management practices. Additionally, we collect physiological data, such as HRV (heart rate variability) using the Firstbeat device, which tracks rest time, working time, and exercise. Our focus areas include recovery, job crafting, servant leadership, engagement, and burnout.

Who are the target groups?

Principals, deputy principals, vice-principals, and school leaders of primary education or upper secondary education.

Data collection

The data for the study has been gathered once a year by on-line questionnaires since 2019 onwards. The data was collected as follows:

Year 2019: 531 participants.
Year 2020: 644 participants.
Year 2021: 541 participants.
Year 2022: 698 participants.
Year 2023: 526 participants.
Year 2024: 782 participants (results 2024).

Find DOI (digital object identifier) for the principal barometer data here.

Funding

The project has been funded by the Strategic Research Council (2021-2024) and Research Council of Finland (2024-).

Publications

Nissinen, T., Upadyaya, K., Lonka, K., Salmela-Aro, K., & Hiroyuki, T. (2024). School principals’ job crafting profiles and their differences during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior.

Salmela-Aro, K., Upadyaya, K., & Hietajärvi, L. (2020). Suomalaisten rehtorien ja opettajien työhyvinvointiprofiilit koronakeväänä. Psykologia, 55(6), 426–443.

Salmela-Aro, K., Upadyaya, K., & Hietajärvi, L. (2021). Rehtorien ja opettajien hyvinvointi koronapandemian aikana. Työn tuuli: aikakauskirja, 30(1), 14–19.

Toyama, H., Upadyaya, K., & Salmela-Aro, K. (2022). Job crafting and well-being among school principals: The role of basic psychological need Satisfaction and frustration. European Management Journal, 40(5), 809–818.

Toyama, H., Upadyaya, K., Hietajärvi, L., & Salmela-Aro, K. (2023). Job crafting among school principals before and during COVID-19: Investigating the associations with work-related well-being and personal resources using variable- and person-oriented approaches. European Management Journal.

Upadyaya, K., Salonen, R., Ikonen, A., Huotilainen, M., & Salmela-Aro, K. (2020). Suomalaisten rehtorien työhyvinvointiprofiilit, voimavarat ja vaatimukset. Psykologia, 55(2–3), 179–194.

Upadyaya, K., Toyama, H., & Salmela-Aro, K. (2021). School Principals' Stress Profiles During COVID-19, Demands, and Resources. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 731929.